Abstract

A single-frequency Ho:Tm:YLF laser, operating at an eye-safe
wavelength of 2 µm, has been developed with tuning
characteristics optimized for spectroscopy of absorption
features. The laser frequency was stabilized to three different
absorption lines of carbon dioxide by a wavelength modulation
technique. Long-term frequency drift has been eliminated from the
laser, and shorter-term jitter has been reduced to within 13.5 MHz of
the absorption line center. This stabilized laser is an ideal
injection seed source for a differential absorption lidar system for
measurement of atmospheric gases.